All Night Long

Local Residents and Accommodation Owners Protest Noise Pollution Along Bali's Night Life Center of Jalan Abimanyu.

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(7/10/2007)

Residents living near Seminyak's night life center of Jalan Abimanyu (Jalan Dyanapura) are becoming increasing vocal in protesting the noise pollution created by restaurants and bars catering to tourists.

Made Sukadana, the Chairman of a local neighborhood association, told the Bali Post that his group have protested the nightly din of noise emanating from businesses violating local laws by installing sound systems in open-air areas and playing music until late into the night.

The neighborhood protest was sent in a formal letter to the head of tourism for the Badung Regency. Sukadana said that they are waiting for a response from the Regency government before mapping out their next step to regain some peace and quiet in their daily lives.

According to Sukadana, local businesses violating local noise laws are a reoccurring problem on Jalan Abimanyu. Crackdown on businesses violating the rules result in short periods of quiet before the businesses return to the former ear-splitting practices. Sukadana, a lawyer by training, contends that many of the noise violators are operating illegally and exceeding their permits as bar and restaurants by conducting noisy parties on a nightly basis.

In a new development, local residents protesting the noise produced by partygoers have been joined by local hotels and villas near Jalan Abimanyu where guests are complaining that the noise is interrupting a good night's sleep.